Commercial drivers have suspended a planned nationwide strike that was due to take place on Wednesday, November 4, after intervention from the Interior Ministry, the Roads Minister and other stakeholders.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) had warned that its members would withdraw their services over concerns about the implementation of the Traffic Management Technology system, TraffiTech-GH.
The main complaint relates to the alleged harassment and arrest of drivers who stop at designated bus stop areas that have been occupied by traders.
Speaking on GhanAkoma, hosted by Sir John, GPRTU Deputy Public Relations Officer Samuel Amoah said the strike was called off after government officials and other stakeholders appealed to the drivers to suspend the action.
He said the stakeholders had recognised the drivers’ concerns and asked the union to submit them formally so they could be addressed, particularly the situation involving traders at bus stops.
“Yesterday, we received calls from the Interior Ministry, the Roads Minister and other stakeholders, who appealed to us to suspend the planned strike. They acknowledged our concerns and asked us to formally present them so they could address the situation, particularly the issue of traders occupying bus stop areas. They also assured us that drivers who park in those areas should not be arrested by the police.
“That is why we have called off the strike, pending the intervention of the relevant stakeholders to address our concerns,” he said.
Mr Amoah also said an agreement had been reached to remove traders from bus stop areas and pedestrian walkways by the end of November.
“We have agreed with all stakeholders that, from now until the end of November, traders will be cleared from bus stop areas and pedestrian walkways,” he added.
The suspension means commercial transport services will continue while the concerns raised by the drivers are considered by the relevant authorities.
The dispute comes as TraffiTech-GH continues to be implemented as part of efforts to improve traffic regulation and enforcement.
The drivers’ action had been linked specifically to the enforcement of the system and the treatment of those who park in bus stop areas occupied by traders.
Government officials and other stakeholders are now expected to work with the drivers on the issues raised, including the assurance that drivers should not be arrested by police for parking in those locations.
